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May 7, 2013

The Future is Customer Service – Even in Romania

(Originally published April 29, 2013, in Capital, here.) Because predictions are best left to economists and fools, once in a while I think it’s my turn. […]
April 23, 2013

Metrosexual Me

I typically stay away from the topic of fashion in any form at any time with any audience – except perhaps when my inseam is being […]
April 11, 2013

Scary Movie 6? – The Banking Sequel

[Update:  April 19.   New NYTimes story, here.] This almost reads as a parody of what we saw in 2007.  A parody because, certainly, we wouldn’t […]
April 5, 2013

Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Because since this happened, I can’t shake the ugly feeling that this disgusting and ignorant campaign has created in me. Yes, it got my attention. That’s for sure. And now I find there is something about the brand Sensiblu that resonates in me with unease. Now when I see their signs and commercials, lying and trickery are the first words in my head. Yep, that got my attention. It certainly did. And you did change my attitude. And now you know what it is? I don't want to shop there. To put it simply: Sensiblu, you owe us all an apology.
April 1, 2013

Now Showing: A PowerPoint Presentation

You know how this happens – see if this reminds you of your meetings: The presenter (a senior manager who wants to seem smart), makes it clear that he knows the topic much better than anyone in the room. Are you convinced? (That’s called the “cognitive estrangement” that sets up the rest.) And so you quickly believe you’re watching something you don’t fully understand. And why should you? It’s not your job to know this stuff. Then the presenter moves on and leverages this weakness (the one we think we must have), and we settle into listening, passively watching with what Coleridge long ago termed the “willing suspension of disbelief.” And then you sit back and go along for the ride. Well, next time you present (or the next time you watch), add a big Zero and place it up front. Call it the 0/10/20/30 Rule. Yes, a Big Zero – for NO selling, NO buying, NO uncritical thinking. Just a good tough discussion to make sure that you’re right.
March 28, 2013

How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 5)

“Remus Bank & Trust” I met with my Romanian friend Remus the other day. As you might know, he has been searching for a career that […]
March 21, 2013

haiku for a phone booth

  All right, I’m not a poet, but I do get sentimental sometimes.  
March 18, 2013

Segmentations from Underground – Where IBM Meets Dostoevsky

(Originally published March 14, 2013, in Dilema Veche, here.) I am a sick man…. I am a spiteful man. I am an unattractive man. I believe my liver […]